These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plenty.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of plenty

Middle English plente, from Anglo-French plenté, from Late Latin plenitat-, plenitas, from Latin, fullness, from plenus full — more at full

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plenty.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

plenty

Definition of plenty

Using plenty as an Adverb

Many handbooks advise avoiding the adverb plenty in writing; “use very, quite, or a more precise word,” they advise. Actually plenty is often a more precise word than its recommended replacements; very, fully, or quite will not work as well in these typical quotations. it's already plenty hot for us in the kitchen without some dolt opening the oven — C. H. Bridgesmay not be rising quite as rapidly as other health costs, but it is going up plenty fast — Changing Times It is not used in more formal writing.